False promises: what exit from Europe really got us

Five years after Britain officially left the European Union, Brexit is less popular than ever.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

YouGov polling on Wednesday showed the number of Britons who think leaving the EU was a good idea is at its lowest since the referendum, with just three in 10 saying it was the right decision.

Most voters support Britain returning to the EU, with even one in six who backed the UK's departure now experiencing regret.

To mark the fifth anniversary yesterday, The Independent looked at what Britain was promised before the 2016 vote, and what Britain actually got.

£350m a week for the NHS

One of the most notorious promises made by the Leave campaign was that, due to Britain’s financial contributions to the EU, getting out would free up £350m each week which could be spent on the health service

Spending on the NHS has increased since Britain left the EU, particularly during the pandemic, but there is no evidence to suggest Britain’s payments to the EU have been redirected to the service. And, far from helping, Brexit has led to a severe slowdown of nurses arriving in the UK from EU states, contributing to staff shortages, while post-Brexit red tape has led to the NHS facing drug shortages.

Take back control of Britain’s borders

Another key selling point for Brexiteers was immigration, and the vow that outside the EU the UK would take back control of its borders. Much of the referendum campaign was focused on immigration, and warnings it would continue spiralling if Britain voted to remain.